RESUMEN
Objective:To investigate the relationship between the pathogeny and expression of CD28 B7 costimulatory molecules on peripheral blood cells in myasthenia gravis.Methods:Expression of CD28?CTLA4 and their ligants B7 1?B7 2 on CD4 + and CD8 + T lymphocytes in 18 patients with MG and 16 healthy controls were examined by flow cytometry.Results:In MG group,the expression of CD28?CTLA4?B7 1?B7 2 molecules were increased.The increased CD28 + cells were mainly of CD4 +T lymphocytes subset.The increased CTLA4 + cells were mainly of CD8 + T lymphocyte subset;There was no significant difference in the expressions of B7.1 and B7.2 molecules on CD4 + or CD8 + T lymphocytes between two groups.Conclusion:The pathogeny of myasthenia gravia is associated with the increased expression of CD28 B7 costimulatory molecules.Examining of CD28 B7 costimulatory molecules on peripheral blood cells may reflect the immune state of MG patients,and is helpful to the diagnosis and treatment.